Horbury to return to Volvo
April 2, 2009 by Matt Brogan
On Tuesday we brought you news that Volvo designer Steve Mattin had left the company, but that a replacement was uncertain.
Well, today we can confirm that Peter Horbury, the British designer who retired boxy styling at Volvo in the early 90s, is leaving his post at Ford to rejoin Volvo once more.
Mr Horbury, responsible for creating and carrying out the new design language in all new Volvo models in the 1990s, including the XC90 crossover, was today named Volvo’s new vice president of design. His position at Ford will be filled by Moray Callum, currently director of design for cars for the Americas.
“We are very happy to have Peter back on board here at Volvo.” CEO Stephen Odell said in a statement. “He will play an important role in taking our Scandinavian design language to the next level and ensure we continue to develop attractive cars for the premium market.”
“I’m extremely pleased to be back in Sweden and the great brand of Volvo,” said Mr Horbury. “Volvo has a very strong design identity, and it will be a privilege to work with the team to develop the Scandinavian design language in future products and contribute to the turnaround of the company.”
Mr Horbury will be based at Volvo’s headquarters in Gothenburg, Sweden. The appointment is effective from May 1.
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As Anthony mentioned a few days ago, this fellow supervised the s60 which started the current shape (well, actually I think the s80 might have come out before it in about, and the s60 followed the s80 shape), leading to the 04 s40, which is really a baby (new shape) s80, so this is a good move (as long as that sweet s60 comes out next year).
Given that Ford is looking to sell Volvo this seems a rather surprisng action, unless Ford and Horbury were close to the parting of the ways anyway. Maybe the return of Horbury will help to sweeten whatever deal Ford may be hoping to make.
At least some crap designer isn’t replacing him.
maybe Ford and volvo are swapping designers